Usyk says vacating heavyweight world title belts

Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk announced on Friday that he will vacate his three world title belts, but he is not retiring from boxing.

The 39‑year‑old Ukrainian, who remains undefeated in his professional career, said he wants to “make them free so that the guys who are in line for them can box.”

Usyk’s statement came just a month after he narrowly avoided a shocking defeat to kick‑boxer Rico Verhoeven.

He required a highly controversial 11th‑round stoppage to reverse the outcome against the Dutchman, who had been ahead on the scorecards until that point, despite having only fought once in boxing.

“Good day to everyone. Today is Friday, the weather is good, and it’s a good day to say that I want to vacate all the belts that I currently hold — to make them free so that the guys who are in line for them can box,” Usyk wrote in a social media post.

“My friends, I’m giving up the belts, but I’m not leaving the sport, because I still have my last dance.”

“I want to thank everyone; I respect all organisations. I want to thank everyone and say there is more to come.”

Usyk has been the undisputed world champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight and holds an unblemished record of 25 victories, including 16 knock‑outs, in 25 fights.

In his amateur career, he earned Olympic, world and European titles.

His most notable victories include wins over British heavyweights Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois, whom he defeated twice each.

He beat Joshua in September 2021 to capture the WBA, WBO and IBF belts and then took the WBC belt from Fury in May 2024.

He had to vacate the IBF belt for his rematch with Fury but then reclaimed it from Dubois in July 2025, only to vacate the WBO belt a few months later.

Dubois later defeated fellow Briton Fabio Wardley in May to claim that belt.

Vanguard News